Frances Gerick

Frances Samaniego Gerick

Frances Gerick, 69, of Riesel, passed away on December 23, 2024, after a long but courageous battle with cancer. Services will be held on Monday, December 30, at 11 AM at OakCrest Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 PM on Sunday, December 29.

Frances was born December 3, 1955, to Delfino Samaniego and Jean Woodlock. On March 26, 1976, she married Robert Lee Gerick. They were married for 48 years and had two children, a son, Nathan Lee Gerick, and a daughter, Nadaya Leigh Farnsworth. Robert loved Frances with every ounce of his being. He was with her until her last day, caring for her until she took her last breath. They met at Magic Music, and Frances told her sister Eva that at she was going to marry that man. Through many boot, scoot, and boogies on the dance floor, they became a pair and the rest was history. Frances got her man, and Robert, little did he know, got a compassionate, caring woman with a heart of gold.

Frances’s contagious smile would light up a room and impact so many. She loved her grandbabies immensely and was known to them as “Mimi”. Frances worked for Waco ISD for many years as a payroll specialist before moving to Mountainview Elementary, working as an office clerk, and retiring in 2020.

Frances was all about family. She loved hard. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She would attend every sporting event or band concert that she could. Frances was fortunate when it came to winning and she and Robert loved to take the occasional road trip and try that luck at the slot machines. She also loved to take road trips with her daughter, Nadaya. They were inseparable. Whether that was a weekend of shopping, grandkids sporting events, or family vacations she was always up to go. One of the ways she also showed her love was through her cooking. She served up a mean fried chicken and when chicken molé was on the menu you better believe everyone was ready to gather. A recipe passed down from her mother and has since been taught to her kids and daughter-in-law. Frances was a devoted wife, amazing mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend A.K.A. “girlfriend” to many. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Delfino and Jean Samaniego; her brothers, Delfino Jr., and Dave Samaniego; and her sister, Eva McDonald.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Gerick, of Riesel; son, Nathan Gerick and wife, Dana, of China Spring; daughter, Nadaya Farnsworth of China Spring; four grandchildren, Landyn Gerick, Layla Gerick, Bekim Farnsworth, and Sloan Cupit; and sisters, Linda Bates and husband, David of Seguin, and Lillie Garner and husband, James of Midland. Frances is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws that she loved and adored so much.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Scott & White Hospice for providing excellent care during such a difficult time.